Structure of multiple optical disk drive and method of controlling changing disks

Abstract

A data storage apparatus and a processing method are provided, and more particularly to a data storage apparatus and a processing method thereof which ensure processing safety when changing data storage media. It mainly selectively set a locking mechanism on an up-down mechanism or disk loading/unloading mechanism, which locks after the up-down mechanism arrives at the position or before the disk loading/unloading mechanism loads a tray. After the disk loading/unloading mechanism unloads the tray or before the up-down mechanism moves to a next predefined position, a locking status is unlocked. Thereby, the processing safety will be ensured when changing multiple data storage media, and failures will be prevented occurring because of external force attacking or other vibrations.

1 . A data storage apparatus whose main structure, comprising: 
 a magazine, a plurality of trays set therein capable of carrying a plurality of data storage media;    a disk loading/unloading mechanism for pulling out and unloading one of said trays of said magazine thereby loading and unloading said data storage media;    an accessing mechanism for selectively perform one of said actions of reading, writing, and one of said combination thereof to said data storage media loaded by said disk loading/unloading mechanism; and    an up-down mechanism for carrying and moving said disk loading/unloading mechanism and said accessing mechanism and capable of moving them to a position accessing said data storage media;    wherein said up-down mechanism has further a locking mechanism capable of locking and positioning said up-down mechanism when it reaches said position and then performing actions of loading disks and accessing data;    wherein said locking mechanism unlocks said locking status after accessing data and said disk loading/unloading mechanism finishes an action of unloading said disk.    
   
   
       2 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said data storage apparatus is an optical disk drive.  
   
   
       3 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said data storage medium is an optical disk.  
   
   
       4 . A data storage apparatus whose main structure comprising: 
 a magazine, a plurality of trays set therein capable of carrying a plurality of data storage media;    a disk loading/unloading mechanism for pulling out and unloading one of said trays of said magazine thereby loading and unloading said data storage media;    an accessing mechanism for selectively perform one of said actions of reading, writing, and one of said combination thereof to said data storage media loaded by said disk loading/unloading mechanism; and    an up-down mechanism for carrying and moving said disk loading/unloading mechanism and said accessing mechanism and capable of moving them to a position accessing said data storage media;    wherein said disk loading/unloading mechanism has further a locking mechanism capable of locking and positioning said up-down mechanism when it reaches said position and then performing actions of loading disks and accessing data, wherein said locking mechanism unlocks said locking status after accessing data and said disk loading/unloading mechanism finishes an action of unloading said disk.    
   
   
       5 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said data storage apparatus is an optical disk drive.  
   
   
       6 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said data storage medium is an optical disk.  
   
   
       7 . A processing method of a data storage device, wherein the main structure of said data storage apparatus comprises: a magazine using a plurality of trays to carry a plurality of data storage media, a disk loading/unloading mechanism, an accessing mechanism, an up-down mechanism, and a locking mechanism; said processing method mainly comprising the steps of: 
 up-down moving said disk loading/unloading mechanism by said up-down mechanism, accessing mechanism, and locking mechanism to a default position corresponding to said data storage medium to be read;    locking said up-down mechanism by said locking mechanism, accessing mechanism, and disk loading/unloading mechanism to said default position; and    pulling out a corresponding tray of said magazine to load said data storage medium by said disk loading/unloading mechanism, and using said accessing mechanism to perform one of said actions of reading, writing, and a combination thereof to said data storage medium.    
   
   
       8 . The processing method according to  claim 7 , the steps further included when performing the action of unloading said disk: 
 stopping said accessing action of said accessing mechanism;    unloading said tray and said data storage medium by said disk loading/unloading mechanism; and    unlocking said locking status of said locking mechanism.    
   
   
       9 . The processing method according to  claim 7 , the steps further included when performing the action of changing said disk: 
 stopping said accessing action of said accessing mechanism;    unloading said tray and said data storage medium by said disk loading/unloading mechanism;    unlocking said locking status of said locking mechanism;    up-down moving said disk loading/unloading mechanism by said up-down mechanism, accessing mechanism, and locking mechanism to a default position corresponding to the next data storage medium to be read;    locking said up-down mechanism by said locking mechanism, accessing mechanism, and disk loading/unloading mechanism to said default position; and    pulling out a corresponding tray of said magazine to load said data storage medium by said disk loading/unloading mechanism, and using said accessing mechanism to perform one of said actions of reading, writing, and a combination thereof to said data storage medium.    
   
   
       10 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said data storage apparatus is an optical disk drive.  
   
   
       11 . The data storage apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said data storage medium is an optical disk.